Spectators are very welcome to stay and watch a class. In fact with the younger students, it sometimes helps for the first couple of classes for Parents to stay, especially if a child is nervous. I would also encourage Family & Friends to watch Grading sessions.
Grading days give all students the opportunity to demonstrate their techniques and skills and gain their next coloured belt (Kyu Grade) on the way to their Black Belt.
This depends on the abilities and frequency of training of each student. Typically, students training twice a week can achieve 1st Dan Grade Black Belt in five years.
For the first few weeks it is advisable for new students to train in a tracksuit/t-shirt and bare feet. Until such time as they are committed to regular training and investing in the price of a Gi. At our club we are able to buy Gi's at trade prices making them more cost effective than paying sports shop prices!
In order for a Karateka (Karate Student) to progress through their grades (Kyu) towards Black belt they must hold a valid License. This must be applied for within 4 weeks of commencing their training with the club and currently costs £20 per year. This is also their insurance cover, in the event that a student becomes injured whilst training.
Licenses are issued by the Governing Organisation to which our club is affiliated.
In addition, both the Club itself and Instructor, Sensei Rob Bunting are licensed and Insured through our Governing Organisation.
The majority of our students train twice a week. This ensures that they fully cover the syllabus between Gradings, develop their techniques & learn / understand their relevant KATA.
As with any form of contact exercise there is always an element of risk. In relation to the KUMITE (Sparring / Fighting) portion of our classes, Students may pick up the odd bruise or bump when blocking or attacking.
This is probably more common in Adult classes than Junior classes, as the KUMITE element of Junior classes, especially initially when a student is a Novice, is very controlled. At no time are students fighting unless under the strict supervision of Sensei Rob Bunting.
As in the case of Rugby where a person who is not fully committed to a tackle stands to get hurt, so can be said the same for Karate. A person who is concentrating & is fully committed to a particular technique within a KUMITE scenario is much less likely to be injured than a student who is training in a half hearted manner.
Sensei Fumio Demura